כ״ד סיון ה׳תשפ״ו | June 8, 2026
Are All Jewish Story Tapes Kosher?
“I’m meticulous and careful B”H about the books and content I allow my kids to consume. And what’s this? A Jewish story tape feeding my children public school talk?!”
By Elitzur Velor
What are you screaming about? I asked my kids when I drove them to school yesterday.
They said they wanted a story tape.
“Okay,” I handed my phone to Rivki to turn it on.
The speaker started playing exactly this:
“Moishy finally came back home, after a day at school, only to be greeted by his annoying sister, Miri, eating that stupid cereal.”
I turned around to see the reaction on my kids’ faces. The older one bit his lip, but my little ones in the back were smirking.
I hit the power button for the audio. “Nooo!!” they yelled.
I’m meticulous and careful B”H about the books and content I allow my kids to consume. And what’s this? A Jewish story tape feeding my children public school talk?!
I dug deeper, and apparently, it’s about a kid who gained superpowers and saved the world. Really? The salient difference between yiddishe fiction and the deep end — ignored — and brought to us in the form of an innocent “Jewish” story tape.
And that’s besides the fact that a child will NEVER hear any adult speak so inappropriately. Besides the fact that it describes gore and violence in detail as if it’s just another Longest Pesach.
Shmuel Kunda was not only a great storyteller. He was a master educator. One that you’d trust around your children.
Many story tapes today are ominous and care not for how my child will think or act, which ideas my child will value. And if there is a lesson in the story, they’re just to be “yoitzeh,” so they are slipped inside.
Immaturity and reverse-education crept into my home through an unexpected venue. Are you aware of what your children are listening to? Is it kosher just because it’s a story tape on 24Six?
COMMENTS
As a rebbi, I hear what the boys repeat from the tapes on the bus and they’re downright appalling!
Talk you first speaking up
What is this story tape called? I do not want my children listening to this, but I don’t really have the time to listen to everything out there…
I think it’s made by an artist named “Yaakov Bee”
It’s called pickle boy
Such Hashgacha Protis, just this past week I was discussing this with my married children! The language, attitude and no toichen in the story is very negative. Even in my children’s day there were “silly”, but negative stories like this. I thought my husband was being overly strict by turning them off! Bring back, Rebbe Hill, etc. stories that are exciting but true, and aidel.
There are chassidishe story tapes, made by well meaning people, that are totally off. There is no reason to have everything told in a crazy voice. Stories don’t need to be silly. The fact that kids like it, doesn’t mean its good, they like candy too. Stories should be calming, fascinating, intriguing, spellbinding. Not making kids hyper.
There is real good content available: jewishbedtimestories.com by Rabbi Phillips. From what I listened to, it is all worthy of giving to our kids to listen to with many good lessons. Kids can even call in by phone and I think it is also available on 24six
This isn’t new.
I grew up listening to certain Jewish children’s entertainment in the 80’s (wasn’t that much to choose from) and when I put it on for the kids recently I was appalled by what (very eidele, chasidishe) parents let us listen to.
I 100% agree with this article.
Just a tip for 24six, there is a built in filter that you can have whitelist and blacklists for which artists to allow or not.
Derher for kids is very entertaining toichendik and good stories being told over by an amazing storyteller
I would like to focus for a second on something that was glossed over in the article. “it’s about a kid who gained superpowers and saved the world.”
Where does this come from? I was an avid story tape listener as a kid and never once were superpowers included in a story.
I believe this is because the whole concept of bending nature – unless it is by a tzadik – is something that borders on avoda zara , coming from kishuf etc.
And on a more simple level it comes straight from non-jewish entertainment stories.
After all this, it’s not a chidush the vulgar language was present as well…
Who is in charge or 24six? who’s hechsher are we trusting?
Just visit Chinuchtime.com
you’ll get access to jundreds of hours of stories from Rabbi Yosaif Goldstein (aka Uncle Yossi)
and from his son, rabbi Chaim Levi Goldstein,
Theare packed with chassidishkite and midos tovos
Enjoy
ok, so, the word “stupid” is not the worst word in the world, and also, the person who made this story, made it so that kids will actually listen to it, but it has subtle torah values in it, something this mother probably doesnt realize, so yes, i say it is a good story tape, and yes, even though i am 17, i listen to it, and it is captivating